Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr.’s mother told attendees of the annual Rainbow/PUSH conference in Chicago on Friday that her son has been dealing with a series political disappointments that may have contributed to his current “mood disorder.”

“Young people don’t bounce back with disappointments like me and my husband,” said Jacqueline Jackson as she spoke on Jackson Jr.’s current condition. These was the first remarks made by Mrs. Jackson since the Congressman, 47, took a leave of absence initially due to exhaustion. She offered no further details. The Huffington Post has the story:

The mother of U.S. Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. (D-Ill.) on Friday weighed in on the recent disclosure of her son’s treatment for a mood disorder while speaking at the Rainbow PUSH coalition conference in Chicago.

Addressing the conference, Jackie Jackson said her son “is unwell, and he needs a moment to heal,” ABC Chicago reports. She went on to comment that the Chicago Democrat has dealt with “enormous” political disappointments in recent years that may have contributed to his condition.

“He thought he was going to be the senator – thought he was going to have a chance to run for mayor,” Jackie Jackson said, according to the station. “And young people don’t bounce back with disappointment like me and my husband.”